Qld Government needs to tighten mine legislation: CCC

AS MINE rehabilitation becomes more efficient, so too must the guidelines set by the government.

That was the message sent by Capricorn Conservation Council treasurer Ian Herbert as he spoke at the CQ Mining Rehabilitation Group workshop last week.

The workshop, which marked the 50th meeting of the group, was a two-day-long seminar featuring a number of speakers covering topics about mine re-habilitation.

Mr Herbert, who spoke about the advances of mine rehabilitation over the past 20 years, said he felt it was an important opportunity to raise Capricorn Conservation Council's issue with government's approach to mine rehabilitation.

"It was probably more of a political statement rather than any criticism on the mine rehabilitation groups," he said.

"Quite frankly, the way mine rehabilitation is approached by these groups has become a lot more effective over the last 20 years and I personally think they are doing a really good job."

Mr Herbert said the biggest issue Capricorn Conservation Council had was with the weakening of legislation that had occurred over the last year.

"We really need the government to ensure the industry is sufficiently regulated so we do not have mining companies abandoning sites with final voids," he said.

"And as the State Government has sought to cut the so-called green tape on mining projects, it seems to be easier for mines to just abandon their environmental responsibilities."

Mr Herbert said final voids in mines were something that needed to be addressed by the government sooner rather than later.

"CCC considers that it is unacceptable for mines to leave final voids. These are basically a huge hole left behind that the company has not bothered to fill in and has not been forced by the government to rectify," he said.

"This makes it incredibly difficult for mine rehabilitation groups to successfully rehabilitate a mine site so that it can be of use to future generations."

Chairman of the CQ Mine Rehabilitation Group, Stuart Ritchie, said he felt the workshop was a success, drawing in about 150 people from a number of different industries.

"I think that's one of the most important things about these workshops, is that you get to hear the perspective from a number of stakeholders from different industries," he said.

"The mining industry affects a lot of people, particularly here in Central Queensland, so we make sure we address the concerns of all parties."